Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Timothy 2:1 - 2:4

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Timothy 2:1 - 2:4


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

An Admonition to Pray for All Men on the Basis of Christ's Atoning Death

For whom Christians should pray and why:

v. 1. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

v. 2. for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

v. 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior,

v. 4. who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth.

Having laid the basis of sound doctrinal teaching in, the first chapter, as Timothy was to observe it in his work in the congregation, the apostle now speaks of the order of services as it then obtained in the congregations, referring particularly to the custom of public prayer: I exhort, then, that, first of all, be made supplications, worshipings, intercessions, thanksgivings for all men, for kings and all that are in authority, that a tranquil and quiet life we may lead in all piety and honesty. The duty of making prayer prominent in the Christian life is here enjoined with emphasis, as among those obligations incumbent first of all. Prayerful intercourse between the Lord and the believers is not observed nearly so carefully and dutifully as the Lord's will requires it. The exhortation of the apostle, therefore, is altogether in order to this day. He names supplications, the prayers that flow from the consciousness of need and misery; worshipings, in which the ideas of adoration and supplication are combined; intercessions, prayers made in behalf of someone else, Rom_8:27-34; and thanksgivings, since it is self-evident that Christians always acknowledge the gifts of the Lord with grateful hearts. Since the feature of intercession is prominent even in the names of prayers as here given, it is not surprising that the apostle now mentions some of the persons that are to enjoy the benefit of this labor of love. In general, all men are here included; all men without exception are objects of the Christians' prayers, whether converted or unconverted, whether friends or enemies, Mat_5:45-46. But from this great mass the apostle separates certain classes by mentioning them by name: kings and all that are in authority, all that occupy a position of power in the world, especially the persons that constitute the civil government. Christians that pray for the needs of all men cannot overlook the special needs of the government, no matter what form this government may have; they pray to the Lord for the peace of the city and country of which they are citizens, knowing that in the peace thereof they shall have peace, Jer_29:7. If the government makes proper use of the various functions entrusted to it by God, as the prayer of the Christians asks, then the result will be that they can lead a quiet, tranquil, peaceable life, in all godliness, in the right worshiping of God, and in all honesty, in good conduct toward all men. The Christian religion, which, the believers confess and profess, must find its expression in daily life.

Lest Timothy and all other readers of the letter overlook the emphasis of the passage, the apostle calls attention to it in stating the reason for demanding such general prayer: This is fine and acceptable before our Savior, God, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Prayer for all men is enjoined by God, and it is this prayer that is good, approved of God; it meets with His pleased appreciation when Christians give evidence of the spirit of love toward all men, living in them. God the Father is here again called the Savior of men, for in this capacity His love extends to all human beings without exception. Deliberately and in the face of all modern opposition Paul here explains the term "Savior" as applied to God, saying that God will have all men to be saved. God's gracious will is universal, it has in mind all men without exception, Rom_8:32; Tit_2:11. It is not merely a pious wish which He holds, but it is His earnest, will that all men should be partakers of the salvation earned by the atoning work of Christ. And the manner in which they receive this salvation which is prepared before all people is this, that they come to the knowledge of the truth. All men should not only know about the message of perfect redemption as contained in the Gospel, but it is God's will that they also should accept the saving grace, apply its glorious assurance to themselves, and thus become the owners of the bliss pledged therein, Joh_3:16.